“Boaty McBoatface” was the top choice, but that was also the most popular choice by the British public in 2016 when they were asked to name a polar research vessel (the government eventually overturned that vote).

So Australia chose Ferry McFerryface for the harbour ferry. But the union failed to see the funny side.

“The transport minister is demonstrating here that he treats public transport as a joke,” said Paul Garrett, spokesperson for the Maritime Union of Australia, noting that ferries traditionally are named after Sydney’s beaches or successful Olympians.